All nine of Disney's first collection of animated classics on DVD are included in this set. Some of the nine titles include bonus features, and the DVD format will provide optimum sound and picture quality for the young a... more &raquond old collector alike. The crown jewels are Pinocchio and The Little Mermaid. The former celebrates its 60th anniversary with a brand new print, while the latter is the 1989 film that revitalized Disney's animation wing and brought new audiences to the art form. Both offer Oscar-winning songs. Two of the popular classics from the '60s are represented with 101 Dalmatians and The Jungle Book, which was the last animated feature that Walt Disney directly worked on and which saved the animation department when it was a box-office hit in 1967. Hercules and Mulan make great strides in the look of animation. The mythical figures of the former are based on the radical designs of Gerald Scarfe, and the latter makes bold advancements in computer animation in the refreshingly unknown legend of a Chinese girl. The collection rounds out with Lady and the Tramp in a grand widescreen format, the charming Peter Pan that hardly shows its age, and 1998's The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, a made-for-video sequel. Although the sequel is entertaining, it's frustrating to note the original The Lion King has been kept out of circulation completely for a few years (as Disney does with many classics), gearing towards a grand future release into theaters. --Doug Thomas&laquo less

Movie Reviews

Don't Pay the advertised price for these Disney films!

elduque | Calfornia | 11/23/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was excited when I heard that Disney was releasing some classic films on DVD. But when I received Pinocchio in the mail, and noticed really no extra features (just no ten minutes of commercials for other Disney products like on the videos), I was a little disappointed. I was glad I ordered my DVD online. Don't pay the advertised price for these films. Buy them online. As for this "collection", make your own. You can save by not buying that "straight to video" one. Always check the price on collections, often you can make your own "best" collection for less and not have any "filler" films."

Disney DVD comes up short

elduque | 11/20/1999

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I just want to re-iterate what many of the reviewers have already posted. I was excited when I heard that the classic Disney animated features were going to be on DVD. However, I was just as disappointed when they were finally released. The prices Disney is charging for these DVDs, compared to the features being offered is nothing short of ridiculous. Extra features and trailers aside, Disney could have at least remastered the older movies in Dolby 5.1. I believe 101 Dalmations and Pinocchio are not even being offered in widescreen. It is also not clear whether the films that are widescreen are enhanced for widescreen TVs.These are basic features I believe many DVD enthusiasts require before even considering whether or not to buy a movie on DVD. I hope the market bears this out and either forces Disney to lower the prices of these editions, or to start producing more feature-rich DVDs."

Take your time to upgrade your Disney collection.

CAS | 11/09/1999

(1 out of 5 stars)

"If you bought that brand new DVD player so you can watch these new Disney releases, you're wasting your time.If you look closely, you'll notice they're trying to slip in that awful Lion King made-for-video piece of junk sequel into this "collection." Disney should not mix and match their real features with the fakes. Why waste your time releasing a movie on DVD when there are no interviews, outtakes, or even original theatrical trailers included? Even with Amazon's savings, Disney's still asking a full lenght movie's price for their just over 1 hour long features, which have nothing extra added whatsoever. Why does Disney think they can repeatedly rip off consumers like this?Even if you don't care that Disney has decided to include absolutely no exras in these titles, you'll still get stuck with that copy of "Simba's Pride" you can never get rid of. Disney should have released a special made-for-video "collection" separately, full of those sloppily slapped together monstrocities with their bad animation, worse plots, and the most horrible songs imaginable. That way you can easily avoid them altogether. Just as you should avoid this "collection." Unless you're looking forward to owning that Simba's Pride" coaster.Your VHS copies are good enough. They'll last a long time. At least until Disney can get their act together."

Thanks for the warning about no extras!

CAS | Los Angeles, CA USA | 11/09/1999

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I would LOVE to have all the Disney stuff on DVD, BUT I want all the goodies that I have come to appreciate in other DVD releases. The studios only listen to your wallet. I agree that if we want the goodies, then we can NOT buy anything that does not have them, otherwise we will never get what we really want. It will be frustrating to wait, but in the end it's the only thing that will get Disney, and the other studios still being lazy and cheap with their DVD releases, to pay attention. Besides, I have already been burned too many times with CDs as well as DVDs by hurrying to buy a new release, only to have the 'Special Edition' released a year later with all the goodies. Let your money do the talking!"

I've got to chop up the covers to get my 2 free...

Thomas Lunsford | Pensacola, FL USA | 12/16/1999

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this collection knowing that I would get two additional "free" Disney DVD's. Well, now that I have the DVD's, I find out that I have to cut the proof of purchase FROM THE COVER to get these freebies! Sure it's the back cover, but what kind of collectible has pieces scissored out of it? Disney KNEW that FEW collectors would redeem this. What a crock!"